This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Opening Name: Queen's Pawn: Modern
Moves: 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nf3 c5
FEN: rnbqk1nr/pp1pppbp/6p1/2p5/2PP4/5N2/PP2PPPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 4
The Queen's Pawn: Modern arises when Black adopts a hypermodern setup, fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop with ...g6 and ...Bg7. The characteristic move 3...c5 challenges White's central pawns immediately, aiming to exert pressure on d4 and undermine White's center from a distance rather than occupying it directly.
From Black's perspective, this opening is dynamic and somewhat attacking, seeking counterplay against White's center. White typically tries to maintain or expand central control, so the position often revolves around a strategic battle for the center.
Overall, this opening is center-focused: White tries to establish a strong pawn presence in the center, while Black uses piece pressure and pawn breaks (like ...c5) to contest and challenge that center rather than occupying it outright early on.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Queen's Pawn: Modern, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 2 - Move #8 white
You can also discover how top players used Queen's Pawn: Modern to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.